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Some Komen affiliates were among those publicly opposed to cutting off Planned Parenthood. In the days after Komen decided to restore the funding, Komen policy chief Karen Handel resigned. She had opposed abortion as a Republican candidate for Georgia governor and had become a target of those angry about the decision to halt funding to Planned Parenthood. Her resignation was followed, in quick succession, by Katrina McGhee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer; Nancy Macgregor, vice president of global networks; and Joanna Newcomb, director of affiliate strategy and planning. And organizers of individual Race for the Cure events -- 5K runs and walks that account for most of the charity's fundraising
-- saw participation decline by as much as 30 percent. Most also saw their fundraising numbers sink, although a couple of races brought in more money. Race organizers have acknowledged the effect of the Planned Parenthood debacle, which angered people on both sides of the abortion debate. In response to questions Wednesday about the controversy, Komen spokeswoman Andrea Rader said "I think Liz (Thompson) made clear in her statement that we feel that we've moved past that." The foundation has invested $1.3 billion in community programs over 30 years to pay for screenings, education, and financial and psychological support for those fighting breast cancer, according to Komen's statement.
[Associated
Press;
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